Student exchange program discussed

SWANSEA — Superintendent of Schools Robert Monteiro brought a suggestion to the School Committee regarding a student exchange program sponsored by an organization with offices in Waltham.

Bill Hall

SWANSEA — Superintendent of Schools Robert Monteiro brought a suggestion to the School Committee regarding a student exchange program sponsored by an organization with offices in Waltham.

Supt. Monteiro noted that he attended a conference with other superintendents and among the guests was a director of the Cambridge Institute of International Education. Supt. Monteiro pointed out that, unlike other student exchanges that have students from another country come here while students from here go to the other country to study, there is no exchange. Instead, the students from China would come to the Swansea schools with tuition of approximately $10,000 paid to the schools and another $500 to $700 a month paid to a host family. Supt. Monteiro noted that it was typical to have five to 25 students taking part.

He added that the students would have good English speaking skills and be able to be immersed in the system.

There would be a one time up front cost of $2,355 for the application and $655 for a site visit by representatives of Homeland Security.

Committee member Dr. A. Keith Carreiro noted that the idea needs more exploration and wondered if students from here would be part of the exchange.

Supt. Monteiro noted that there have been exchanges of different types in the past, recalling the time he had a student from Sweden on his hockey team at Case.

He noted that the exchange then required support while under the proposed plan, the support would come from the agency.

Committeeman Joseph Salpietro felt that the effort was worth exploring, but that he would like to see a lower number rather than 25.

Supt. Monteiro noted that the application process takes four to six months and he hoped to have more information by the next School Committee meeting on Jan. 13, 2014.